AUSTRALIA:
Location: Cleveland
The AGM was held at the conclusion of the recent ICAA annual gathering in Mulgoa, out of Sydney (reported on a few weeks ago).
A decision to support ICA Japan towards paying off the 2008 Conference debt was made at the AGM. After consultation with ICA Japan, $10,000 AUD was sent. We felt this was a symbol of our partnership and support for our fellow ICA, in the fabulous work that they do in places and times of great need around the world. ICA Japan has indicated that ICA India, Nepal, Taiwan and Bangladesh have also contributed to this support.
Robyn Hutchinson rjhutchinson@optusnet.com.au
BANGLADESH:
Location:
ICA Bangladesh celebrated the International Mother Language Day by organizing an event with street children on February 21st . We had to fight to establish our mother tongue, Bangla, as a state language in 1952 and we lost Salam, Rafiq, Jabber, Barkat and others during the language movement. The 21st of February was declared International Mother Language Day by UNESCO. Zaki, Jahangir and Mafiz organized a cultural programme in the Street Children Project to inform the children about our glorious language movement. We would like to rememeber the martyrs and make people aware of the significance of this International language day. Children are very encouraged to hear about the sacrifices of great heroes.
Zaki and Jahangir are preparing for the upcoming monthly taskforce meeting, which will be held on February 26th. Indrajit, Saifuzzaman, Fuad and Zaki are working on the action plan to accomplish the OHSCP project this week. Manik and Mizan are now working on the approval of the school building design, which was submitted on February 19th. Aziz will also work on the communications issue, such as resolving computer problems. Zaki met with Mr. Habib to discuss advancements in the Terrorism Project. Zaki had contact with Mr. Yahia, in regards to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) proposal.
Zaki admin@ica-bangladesh.org
CANADA:
Location: Toronto
Hello! I'm Nan Hudson, and I joined the staff of ICA Canada as Executive Director three months ago, so it is time for me to introduce myself to you! It is a joy to be a part of this organization, and through it, to this global family of ICA throughout the world.
This past week, ICA Canada held an all-day planning session with board, staff, and friends of the organization to begin developing a funding plan for our program commitments. We currently have three main program thrusts: the Youth as Facilitative Leaders program, coordinated by Staci Kentish and running as two pilot projects in Northern Ontario, the Listen to the Drumming project operating in Tanzania and Kenya, and the Courage to Lead leadership training sessions. We are seeking to move forward on the excellent strategic plan articulated by the Board last year and to operationalize the vision that it contains. It is an exciting time at ICA Canada for 1000 different reasons, and in the weeks ahead, we'll inform you about some of them. In the meantime, I look forward to meeting many of you as the year unfolds.
Of course, what really happened for ICA Canada this past week, as well as for the rest of the country, was all eyes were on Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, where Canada currently stands at 4 gold medals, 4 silvers, and a bronze... what a week!!
Nan Hudson nhudson@icacan.ca
ICA ASSOCIATES INC. (Canada)
John Miller taught Group Facilitation Methods to a full house in our Toronto office. Many of the participants stayed on for the Facilitated Planning course taught by Jo Nelson and associate, Jerry Mings.
Wayne Nelson wnelson@ica-associates.ca
ICA International:
Location: Montreal
We are excited to announce that we have two new interns who will be joining us.
Chelsea Matheson is a student at McGill University, currently completing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in International Development Studies, with a minor in Political Science and Hispanic studies. She has experience doing volunteer work with a variety of NGOs and non-profit organizations. Chelsea will be joining us as a Programs Assistant Intern, in order to contribute to a range of project initiatives. This internship is offered through the Youth Eco Internship Program, in collaboration with the YMCA. These positions, offered in a wide range of organizations, aim to help young Canadians learn the skills required to gain and sustain future employment within the sector.
Our other new intern, Mélanie Roach, will join us for a communications internship, working more specifically on coordination and production of the ICA International 2009 annual report. Mélanie Graduated with Distinction from Concordia University in Film Production and has a wide range of experience volunteering for NGOs and non-profit organizations, in Canada and abroad.
Staff info@ica-international.org
